Hobbycutz Challenge 54. . . . . . . . .Pink!

Good morning all you lovely folk. Hope you are in fine fettle and if not, chin up! (or in my case, its chins lol!)

I have to say, dear Ita, I could have cried when I read your comment. Nobody has ever said I bring sunshine to their heart (or any other part of their body for that matter) and it was such a lovely thing for you to say, especially as you're not a well girlie. I try and throw in a little humour to break up my wittering or I'm sure you would all be feeding your hands into your Grand Caliburs to keep awake hahaha!

Anyhoo, back to business as its challenge time at Hobbycutz again. Number 54 is "Pink", chosen by Valou and sponsored by Aurora Wings. Kobie at Hobbycutz still has some DT spots up for grabs so if you would like to be on the DT, please have a look at the sticky on the blog and contact Kobie.

Ingredients

A5 white base card

Pink PMD card

Paper from First Edition Love Letters pad (8x8)

Swirls from Hobbycutz

SB Bitty Blossoms 

SB Matting Basics A

Crafters Companion Vintage Floral Sentiments stamp

Dusky pink satin ribbon (Sanctuary Beads 50p for 25 yrds. . . . .bargain. More colours featuring in a Pond near you soon)

Aged Mahogany DI

Victorian Velvet DI

Versamark pen

White detail E/powder

I used the Versamark pen and white EP to edge the Love Letters paper as I wanted a contrast against the layer below. I tried using white gel pen but it wasn't bold enough.

I used the Aged Mahogany DI to sponge over the Hobbycutz swirls to give them a pink tinge.

Well that's today's creation. Hope you like it and that you will pop over to Hobbycutz to see what the other guys (including our Wendywoo) have created. Why not join in the challenge or apply for the DT too?

As always, thank you for your time and comments. Welcome back Jenny.

Hope the Scottish Posse have got improved weather now. If not, our Lesley has said she's got an airbrush so I'm sure that she won't mind setting up a spray tan booth. . . . . . .I fancy a bit of Tea Dye with a dash of Wild Honey for the Summer. . . . . .I think that antiques guy on the box goes for Rusty Hinge lol!!!

Christine, you know me, any excuse for a bit of "stripping" which reminds me, Lesley, does that airbrush get rid of wrinkles?

On that note, have a good week and play nicely.

TTFN 

Ang x

The Wine Bottle and The Striplet. . . . . . . .

Good morning to you all. Hope all is well with you and yours and if not, hope things perk up soon.

Thank you very much for the encouraging comments on my challenge entry. In answer to questions, I do only have one Bitty Blossom set but because the Lidl paper is only 135gsm (they were selling it alongside the card last year) , I can cut 3 at a time. It still takes a while to twiddle (a technical term) and glue them but not too long to cut them.

The winner will be announced by the end of June, so here's hoping for a prize of a box of 

PMD card.

Now, I apologise for the naff photos of this offering as it was a rush job to house a bottle of vino di collapso for my supervisor at work, for her birthday. I thought I had a bottle gift bag (I usually recycle if anybody gives me one) but,alas, no, so I had to put this together in a jiffy.

Ingredients

A3 sheet of PMD purple card + extra for the lid and base

Couple of bits of white card, mounted behind the punched and cut areas

White organza ribbon

The Striplet

SB Decorative Labels 28 (for the gift tag)

Hobbycraft punch

Hougie Board

The ribbon is to enable it to be carried as the card is only around 270gsm. It is taped to the bottom (ooooh err Mrs!!!) runs up the sides, front and back, under the lid and through the top of the lid in each corner, then tied in a knot (hope that makes sense)

The lid then slides up the ribbon to reveal the contents. . . . . . . 

and slides back down again to close and is now strong enough to carry. I know its not terrifically exciting and not a John-esque creation but its a handy little number in a pinch. Jo (yes another one, I think its compulsory to have a Jo on our section) was thrilled with it (probably more so about the contents rather than the box lol!!!)

Anyhoo, time to waddle offski. At the charity shop today and doing extra hours again at work this week so not much time for much else at the moment, especially housework. I've decided to test the theory that dust doesn't actually get any worse after 5 years. Will let you know if its true in 5 years and a day hahaha!!! 

Be good all and

TTFN

Ang x

Papermill Direct June Challenge. . . . . . . ."June"

Good afternoon crafters Hi Di Hi !!!

Yes, a strange time of day for me to be here but I shall explain. I was going to enter this challenge and thought the closing date was the 23rd for some reason. It is in fact, today!!! So I have had to jump into action and create my card.

Fortunately, I had sketched what I wanted to do anyway so 20 Bitty Blossom roses later, here we are.

This is to enter the Papermill Direct (PMD) June Challenge and the theme is "June".

What makes me think of June is all the beautiful flowers, particularly roses and one of my favourites is a lilac one called Blue Moon. That's why I have come up with this and hope you like it.

What a beautiful day so I took the card off into the garden.

Ingredients

PMD White Hammered card (cut to 6x6 for base card)

Lilac Lidl paper

SB Bitty Blossoms

Sissix Square die set

Crafters companion Vintage Floral Phrases stamp

Dusty Concord DI

Bling

Before I tootle off, hello to Karenlotty and thank you for your lovely comment. Hopefully, you may like to follow or visit again soon but thanks for popping by anyhoo.

Have a great weekend all.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps. . . . . Wendy, I have put my order in for the pearls but only the 3mm ones so apologies to you and Val if there's none left in the Alicante area.

When The Striplet Met The Tapestry. . . . . . . . .

Good morning Duckadees. Hope this finds you well. Thankfully, my services were not required on Sunday so I didn't have to work, hurrah !!!

Thank you for your super comments on my last card although, Christine, I think Sue Wilson may take issue with you calling me "the striplet queen" hahaha (and yes, it did sound a bit rude but I know what you meant).

I hope that you popped along to the Hobbycutz Challenge Blog as there is a DT call as well as the actual challenge.

Now, for today's offering, when The Striplet Met The Tapestry. . . . . . . .A bit like when Harry met Sally but without the table slapping (although, when a card turns out well, I have been known to yell, "Yes, Yes, Yes !!!". . . . .)

Anyhoo, I introduced my two favourite dies to each other and they seem to get along rather well, I think.

Before I go any further, I should say,  when you look at the colours on the photos, you may be forgiven for thinking that John (Johnnextdoor) had done the photography (only joshing John !!!) as the second two shots are a more accurate colour representation than the top one.

Yellow, I find is very tricksy to photograph so if you can imagine the top one the same colour as the bottom two, I'd be very grateful.

This centre section is also cut from the Tapestry and added in the opposite orientation to the full die cut beneath it, if that makes sense.

Ingredients

A5 size cream base card

PMD yellow card

Pale yellow card (source unknown, sorry)

The Striplet

The Tapestry

Yellow organza ribbon

John's pearls

CE pearl

Very simple but fairly effective. . . . . . . a bit like me hahaha!!!!!!

Well, that's me for now. Hope you all have a smashing day.

TTFN

Ang x

Hobbycutz Challenge 52. . . . . . . . . .Lace and Bows

Good morning one and all. Hope you're all well and being good and enjoying the fine spell we seem to have at the moment.

I had volunteered to work today to help out (in a moment of madness/weakness/absolute stupidity. . . . . .delete as appropriate) but I'm hoping there has been a change of plan and I'm not required (I'm writing this on Friday as I'm at work tomorrow, Saturday) 

I'm also hoping I haven't lost my voice by screaming obscenities at the TV during last nights' match. Needless to say, I hope the boys did a job on the Italians rather than it being an Italian job. . . . . . . .cue Minis and bad Michael Caine impressions!!!

Jackie D, if you manage to read this, hope you have a super holiday visiting what seemed to resemble a list of The Wombles, lol !!!

Ita, if you read this, hope you're not in hospital too long and hope that they can sort you out soon. Sending you lots of best wishes.

Now, today's creation is my DT offering for Hobbycutz Challenge 52 which is lace and bows. Please pop over to the challenge here to see what my teamies have created and have a go yourself. . . . . . I'm sure you can all have fun with this one.

Mine sees the resurgence of my beloved Striplet, cut as a half border down each side of white and blue card.

Ingredients

White A5 card as base

Blue PMD card

The Striplet

Creative Expressions Lace Ribbon

Hobbycutz Flower (covered in blue pigment ink. Heat embossed with clear powder)

Blue silky thread

John's Pearls

Sentiment (Heat embossed in white)

Just felt in a blue and white mood for this one (it is a lovely shade of blue in the flesh, so to speak)

I hope that its given you a teeny weeny bit of inspiration and that you will join in the challenge. . . . . .go on, you know you want to lol !!!

Until next time, be good and enjoy the footie.

TTFN 

Ang x

It Was Going To Be Yellow. . . . . . . .

Good morning blogging chums. Hope you have woken to sunshine and warmth.

Before I go any further, I just wanted to send huge condolences to Mrs A, who has sadly lost her Mum. A sad time and you are in my thoughts.

I think that the Turkish Delights are due back now, bronzed, chilled and ready to run the gauntlet again. Hope you had a wonderful time ladies and that you haven't broken too many Turkish hearts.

Also, thanks to Gail and Jackie for the heads up on Once Upon a Stamp. They seem really cheap so I was a bit wary but you have both put my mind at rest, thank you.

Well Jackie, I have to admit to swearing when Filipe clipped Checo as I thought it was going to end badly. Thank heavens for the modern Monococques (sorry to all non F1 fans)

Thanks again for your lovely comments on my garden. It does need a bit of TLC at the moment as its not getting my full attention with being at work now. Certainly won't be getting any this week either as I'm doing extra hours to help cover some leave.

The Diamond Anniversary party was fantastic. The two of them don't look old enough to have been married 60 years. They were proudly showing their card from Her Maj but I think they liked mine better hahaha!!!

Now, back to today's card. I entitled this "It was going to be yellow" as I had got a yellow card to show but our John had a gorgeous yellow one on display yesterday so, I'm keeping it for another day. I did actually make mine a while ago and did discuss the die cuts with John at the time but when I went to blog it, I realised one of the pearls had dropped off and I hadn't noticed. I then forgot to re-photograph it until last week. 

The Ruby Anniversary celebrants are friends of Nesta's. The hubby was very poorly recently. After suffering, what he thought was a bad tummy, for a few days, he went to the docs and got rushed into hospital. . . . . he'd got a burst appendix !!! He was in a bad way for a while so I think that they are embracing this special anniversary a bit more than they may have.

Ingredients

White card base, A5 size

Red PMD card

Red marker pen

SB Matting Basics B

SB Bitty Blossoms Rose

Habico sentiment stamps

Red Pigment ink

Cosmic Shimmer clear embossing powder

Red bling

I was really pleased with the way it turned out. I'm similar to John (not in imagination, sadly) in that I do a rough sketch of what's in my minds eye and its a real "phew" moment when it turns out how you hope.

Nesta seemed genuinely happy with it as she was smiling (may have been wind though, lol!!!)

Have a great day folks and sending kind thoughts to those whose day is not quite so good.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps. . . . .Blossom, stay cool !!!

Happy Birthday David 2014 . . . . . . . .

Good morning Duckadees. Here's wishing you health, wealth and happiness. When I say wealth, I, of course, exclude the lottery as its my turn to win this week lol!

Now, I must apologise for getting some folks hopes up on my last post, by saying I was cutting the waffle. I did mean the waffle as to how I've put the cards together rather than the waffle about everything else.

Bless all of you who were ok with my wittering. You will be relieved to know that the inane jibberish about my life and the universe will continue, its just my long winded card explanations that will be trimmed.

I have had a few days annual leave (my first since I started work nearly 7 months ago) so have been catching up on a few jobs and cards. Was supposed to go for breakfast with Nesta yesterday morning but she couldn't make it (on a mercy mission with a friend of her's with car trouble).

The bottom lip was out for a couple of hours I must admit. Marmite on toast is not a worthy substitute for the bacon and eggs I had been dreaming about for days. There is a local cafe called Get Stuffed (and you do, in the nicest possible way) and they do fabulous breakfasts but I will have to wait until another day, boo hoo!

Soooo, I cut one of the hedges and repaired one of the steps from the decking to the garden and was generally harassed by Mr and Mrs B (not the Mrs B who comments on here, I hasten to add) for grapes as they have brood number 2 on the go. It was so bad, Mr B landed on the piece of wood I was sawing to repair the step, as I was sawing it! Yesterday, there were 10 birds on the bird table staring in at me. It was like the avian version of the Cravendale advert!!!

Anyhoo, moving along (bet you wish you hadn't been so nice about my waffle now hahaha!!!) I am showing a card I made for my pal David whose birthday was 1st June. He was going to be on a plane returning from a holiday to Japan and Mongolia (as you do) so I told him to put his card in his hand luggage and open it on the plane (this was after several assurances that the card did not contain liquids, explosives or obscene material and weighed less than 10kg).

Now, Daveys' a bit of a traveller. He's been to a huge number of counties and has canoed down (or maybe up) the Amazon (and been manhandled by the Junta. . . . . . . makes your eyes water at the thought) and since he's retired, he's generally only at home long enough to change his underpants. So this year, I decided to go with a travel theme on his card (last year was his other love, gardening see here) and when the Docrafts All Aboard 12x12 pad was on sale at work, I had to have it.

Ingredients

A5 cream base card

Map and embellishments from Docrafts All Aboard 12x12 pad

Black marker (faux layer beneath the map layer)

Vintage Photo DI.

There was a flag on the map already but I added two more to the vicinity of Tokyo and Ulaan Bator (or certainly nearer than a Ryanair flight would get you).

Very simple card, I know, but Davey loved it. I've asked for advance notice for next year so I can make sure I have the bit of the map of where he's going (I'm ok if its Greenland, Antarctica or Vladivostok!!!)

Thanks for your lovely comments on our wisteria. It was here when we moved in 14 years ago,and truth be told, one of the reasons I fell for the house. Lis, I do try and prune it as it as it should be done. Mr Cherokee, you did make me laugh. What sacrilege by Brother Cherokee lol!!!

In the interest of fairness, I thought I should show the pics of the white one at the opposite end of the garden. I planted this as a small plant and see how its grown. We did have to wait 7 years for it to flower but it has been glorious since, as you can see.This one doesn't actually get much of a prune.

Imagine the scent!

One of the locals likes it

Well, I have been trying to contain my excitement at John (Johnnextdoor) coming back to the UK. He won't be next door exactly but he will only be about 20 miles away. I feel so sad for Wendy and Val as John is a genuinely fabulous guy (as is Mr Next Door) and Wendy won't be able to raid his stash, or is it the other way round lol? And bang goes my excuse for a crafty holiday in the Sun with John and the girls.

Well, that's me. Bill and June's Diamond Anniversary party tonight and the Canadian GP this weekend. . . . . do we reckon Lewis will get revenge Jackie? Should be interesting!

TTFN

Ang x

Ps

PS. . . . . .has anyone ordered from Once Upon a Stamp before? Would be grateful for any feedback before I take the plunge. Thanks. x

Diamond Anniversary. . . . . . . .

Good morning Duckadees. Hope everyone is ok and happy.

Thank you for your super comments on my DT cards, especially about my attempts at colouring. Having to use a sponsors image did fill me with dread as I don't do colouring but I bit the bullet.

Nice to see you hopping and all the new visitors. Hope you can all pop back soon to visit again.

Now, today's card is the actual diamond anniversary card for Bill and June in relation to the acceptance (to the party, on Saturday) I showed here. Their anniversary is today and along with this, they will be receiving a card from the Queen (bet she doesn't hand make hers!)

Our John has got me thinking about whether I waffle on a bit with my explanations with my cards. I fear that I may have been trying to teach those of you who are grannys, to suck eggs. 

With that in mind, I shall scale back on my jibber jabber and move toward a more ingredient format. I know I have done it before but if anyone does require further explanation, I shall be happy to give it.

So, today's ingredients are;

White base card A5 size

White card, embossed with a Hougie in a diamond pattern

Diamond patterned C&C silver holographic card

Silver mirror card

SB Labels Twenty

SB Fancy Tags Two

X Cut Alphabet Die

Bling

A diamond shaped bling

Versamark

Silver embossing powder

This one was taken in a slightly different light (not sure either do the actual card justice)

                                                                        A close up

Now, I hope you don't mind but I have included a few pics of one of our wisterias as its put on a marvellous show this year. We also have a white one at the bottom of the garden and they have been in flower at the same time this year.

From the decking

Under its canopy

From the main garden, looking up

Have a great day folks and if you can't be good. . . . . . no one will mind as life's too short to behave!

TTFN

Ang x

House of Cards End of Term Blog Hop.

Hi, all!  It's time for an end of the term blog hop over at House of Cards and we have a super fun challenge AND tons of great prize opportunities for those of you who join in the fun!!! :)  You should have arrived here from Judy.  If you haven't, please start all the way back at the House of Cards hop post and follow the list found in the body of the hop post!

Here's our photo inspiration~

Here are our fabulous sponsors~

Eclectic Anthology
Prize: $50 gift voucher to the shop.

Inspired By Stamping
Prize: $15 gift voucher to the shop.

Paper Sweeties
Prize: $20 gift voucher to the shop.

STAMPlorations
Prize: 5 stamps sets--your choice--from the shop.

Stitchy Bear
Prize: $10 gift voucher to the shop.

The image I have used is called Artsy Flower from Stitchy Bear. As you all know, I'm no colourist so I hope that those who are, forgive my humble attempt.

I printed the image onto some very deep cream card from my Lidl collection and coloured it with my watercolour pencils. I tried to shade and blend as best I could but I'm pleased with how its turned out.

I used the SB A2 Matting Basics sets A & B to do the layers of cream and white and a 5x7 white card blank for the base. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Classic Sentiments Stamp Set, kindly donated by Jacquie as blog candy.

I hope you like it and that you will join in the hop as well as joining in with the challenge. This is also a DT call for all of you talented folk.

Now get to hoppin'!  Your next stop is Emily!  If you get lost along the way, you can always head back to the original blog hop post--and don't forget to link up a project at the House of Cards blog after completing the hop for an extra chance to win a mystery prize from one of our fabulous sponsors, too!

Good luck everyone and enjoy!

TTFN
Ang x

Hobbycutz Challenge 50. . . . . . .No Designer Papers.

Good morning everyone. Hope all is well with you, no matter what part of the world you are reading this in.

Thank you so much for your birthday wishes. You are all a lovely bunch of paddling pals and I appreciate you visiting and commenting. Despite having to work in the morning, I had a lovely afternoon and evening and lots of lovely crafty gifts.

May I extend a warm welcome to The Pond to Janice. Thank you for joining our happy paddlers. I started following you after John gave you a shout out and I particularly loved the duck card, of course!

Now, today's card is my DT card for Hobbycutz Challenge 50 which is no designer papers, as chosen by Lin and sponsored by The Stamping Chef. Hope you can pop over and join in with the challenge.

My card is a 6x6 white base card. I topped this with a square of black card and a cut of the largest SB Captivating Squares in white card. 

On another square of black card, I stamped the sentiment from CE Classic Sentiments (A wonderful blog candy gift from our Jacquie. . . . . . love this one in particular so thank you Jacquie) and heat embossed in white.

I then ran the unstamped half through the GC with the SB Imperial embossing folder.

The Hobbycutz swirl is one of Kobie's lovely designs, which I have heat embossed in white and glued to the embossed portion of the square.

I foam padded this to the card and added pearls in black (coloured with permanent marker) and white.

I wanted to keep it simple (especially with not using designer papers) and make the swirl and sentiment the focal points.

Hope you fancy joining in with us at the challenge.

Just a couple of messages before I tootle off.

Ita, congratulations on the birth of Aine. Here's wishing her a long and happy life.

Jackie, hope the technology is behaving and thanks for your year in The Pond.

Lesley, I saw your question on John's. Its just my little foible with the quilled dies; its the gardener in me that doesn't like the holes in them hahaha!

Debs, if you still pop by, I saw your comment on Patricia's blog and I too have been unable to comment or become a follower on yours. I think it may be the Google+ thingy as I have no problem on just plain Google following/commenting. I don't know if you can alter your blog settings to allow none Google+ folk to follow/comment (sorry, I'm not too clued up on it myself)

Will be back tomorrow folks with House of Cards so hope you can join me then.

TTFN

Ang x